Explore every episode of the podcast On Life and Land

From Missouri to Tennessee to North Carolina to Iowa, John Deere plans to invest nearly $20 billion in U.S. manufacturing over the next ten years. In this episode, we chat with Jon Chase, Vice President, Turf & Utility Business Unit, to learn more about the investment and expansion plans, and about the impacts on local communities. 

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

What have we learned about soil health in the last 10 years? And wow do we even define soil health? Is it simply organic matter content? And what can farmers start doing right now to help boost the health of their own soils? Join us as we talk with Bill Spiegel, farmer and field editor for The Furrow, about everything happening in the ground underfoot. 

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

During a 2017 live-stream from their own kitchen table, Canadian farmers Lesley and Matt Kelly admitted they had both recently suffered mental health crises...Lesley from post-partum depression, Matt in the form of panic attacks. Today, they prioritize mental health on their own farm, with daily check-ins and discussions. Lesley even helped establish Do More Agriculture, a foundation devoted to advancing the state of mental health care in rural areas. In this episode, host David Jones is joined by Lorne McClinton, field editor for The Furrow, for a frank discussion with Lesley about her and Matt's experiences. 

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

If there were to be a Mount Rushmore of ag journalism, the face of Jim Patrico would occupy a position of honor. Jim spent a decades-long career telling ag's story, most notably for The Progressive Farmer magazine. Now he's a written a book, Dispatches from Farm Country, that more closely resembles an anthropological or sociological study of rural America than a collection of random rural reminiscings. In this episode, we talk with Jim about his book, his career, and his next project. 

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

Jim Whitaker and his family are model stewards, and operate by the belief that "What's good for the land is good for the farmer." Their approach to stewardship has paid off in reduced water, fertilizer, and chemical use, increased productivity from their ground and their equipment, and improved wildife habitat. Join us as we chat with Jim about the his stewardship efforts, and learn more about what it takes to produce one of the world's most prolific crops. 

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

The decision of whether or not to stay on the family farm after graduation is a personal one, and can be difficult for those who have never known a life off the farm. But Travis, Trent, and Tyler Smeltzly of Port Byron, Illinois, are perfect examples of how well it can work when the 'farm children' are encouraged to seek their own paths, whether or not they lead back to the family operation. Today, Travis works the farm with his father and other family members, while Trent and Tyler both work for John Deere. Hear how they each came to their decisions - with bonus commentary from Grandma Darlene Smeltzly - in this episode.

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

The story of the John Deere Classic isn't one of one-percent players. It's a story of local enthusiasm, and of giving back. Join us as we speak with Mara Downing, Vice President, Global Brand Management and Corporate Communications, Deere & Company, about this unique tournament and its impact on the Quad Cities and the golf community. 

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

California's Sonoma County prides itself on being a center of excellence for sustainable grape production; ninety-nine percent of of Sonoma County's vineyard acreage is third-party certified sustainable. In addition, Sonoma County has established itself as a proving ground for advanced equipment technologies and cultural practices, many of which promise to reduce inputs, reduce labor requirements, improve soil quality and, ultimately, boost production. 

In this episode, we speak with four experts in the field of wine grape production: Karissa Kruse, president and CEO of Sonoma County Winegrowers; her husband, Steve Dutton, co-owner of Dutton Ranch and co-founder of Dutton-Goldfield winery; Tyler Klick, co-owner of Redwood Empire Vineyard Management; and Bret Munselle, a fifth-generation Sonoma County grape grower. 

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

You probably know Rob Wolfe as co-host of the popular series American Pickers, but he's much more than a TV personality. Rob has spent a lifetime finding and collecting antique cars and motorcycles, along with other bits of Americana; Rob is also deeply familiar with the history of Davenport, Iowa, and the larger Quad Cities Area. In this episode, Rob talks to us about his love of antiques, and about one of the stranger events in Davenport history. 

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

From the production of complete goods like the M2 Tractor to the machining of submarine components to the actions of the John Deere Battallion, the war-time story of Deere & Company and its employees is one of service, innovation, and adaptation. To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, On Life & Land speaks with Chris Boyens to learn more about the role Deere & Company and its employees played in securing victory for the U.S. and Allied Forces. 

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

It would be hard to overstate the impact that the opening of the Erie Canal had on American life and American agriculture. The canal was the first link between New York Harbor and the Great Lakes, and between overseas markets and the growing population in the Midwest. This year, as the Erie Canal celebrates its 200th birthday, we join Steve Werblow, field editor for The Furrow magazine, and Amy Machamer, a seventh-generation farmer whose land borders the canal, for a look at one of the greatest technological achievements of its day.

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

Rose Tryon is the current president of American Agri-Women, an advocacy group devoted to amplifying the voices and the efforts of the many women involved in agribusiness. She and her husband also survived the 2018 fire that destroyed much of Paradise, CA, including their own home. But instead of simply rebuilding and moving on, Rose channeled her experience in advocacy into action. She told us her story at the 2025 World Ag Expo in Tulare, CA. 

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

As vice-president of innovation for Western Growers Association, Walt Duflock sees many of the concepts and prototypes that promise to relieve some of agriculture's biggest pain points, including labor availability, water optimization, regulatory compliance, and consumer demands for more sustainable production. We grabbed a few minutes with Walt at the recent World Ag Expo in Tulare, California. 

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

Join On Life & Land as we speak with Matt Perrier, general manager of Dalebanks Angus and host of the podcast "Practically Ranching." In this episode, Matt talks about the ranching culture of the Flint Hills, about his motivation for starting a podcast, and about the power of place. 

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

In this episode of On Life & Land, we speak with Bill Spiegel, field editor for John Deere's The Furrow magazine, about one of the most important — yet under-discussed — aspects of farming: succession planning. Along the way, Bill introduces us to two couples, Mark and Brenna Wulfkuhle and Bryan and Diane Fishburn, who have taken an unusual approach to planning for the future.

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

Join us for our first episode of the new season as we bring back one of our favorite guests, Neil Dahlstrom, Deere & Company Branded Properties and Heritage Manager. Neil tells us a bit about his current projects, and in honor of John Deere's birthday, lets us in on some of the lesser-known facts about the history of the company and of the man himself. 

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

On Life & Land is back for another season! Join host David Jones and guests as On Life & Land tracks down stories from the backroads and the turnrows. Our new season begins February 4, but you can get a quick preview now!

Happy holidays from On Life & Land! Join us for a quick look back at some of our favorite stories from Season One. 

When the monks of St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts decided they needed a new revenue stream, they turned to one of the oldest agricultural products known to man. "It has moments of really intense physical activity," says Father Isaac of St. Joseph's of the production process, "but it's an almost silent environment. It really fits in with our contemplative life."  

Organic. Natural. Certified. GMO-free. What do they mean, and what should you choose? In this episode, we moderate a 'food fight' between co-host Chrissy Taylor and our friend Jen Anderson as they discuss how they (and we) make the choices we do at the store or restaurant, which labels make them put an item back on the shelf or into the cart, and what ag is doing right...or could be doing better...when it comes to promoting the health and safety of our food supply. We're talking labeling, food-shaming, fear-based marketing, and more. 

Lucky Linda Cheddar. Little Lucy Brie. Tipsy Tilsiter. These are just a few of the “ridiculously good” cheeses on offer from Brooten, Minnesota’s Redhead Creamery. In this episode of “On Life & Land,” Alise Sjostrom (President, CEO, and resident redhead) and her mom, Linda Jennissen, talk about how the creamery came to be, the challenges facing kids who want to return to the farm...and about their love of all things cheese-related! 

Tucked away along the northern edge of Iowa is the town of Mason City...agricultural hub and home to the Historic Park Inn Hotel, the only remaining hotel designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Like so many buildings of its era, the Hotel fell into a state of disrepair before a massive renovation effort began in 2009; the Hotel reopened to the public in 2011. In this episode, we speak with designer Scott Borcherding, current president of Wright on the Park, Inc., partner at Bergland + Cram Architects, and member of the Historic Park Inn Hotel restoration team.

In our latest episode, we chat with Ben Harshyne, agent and land specialist with Whitetail Properties. Ben makes his living helping recreational and agricultural clients find the right piece of ground to fit their needs, whether it’s deer hunting or crop production. In this episode, Ben talks about land use, creating wildlife habitat, his love of maps, and his time with the National Counter-Terrorism Center.

Join us for our conversation with Patrick Montgomery, former U.S. Army Ranger and founder of KC Cattle Company in Weston, Missouri. KCCC is one of Missouri's largest producers of Wagyu and Wagyu-cross beef, and was recently honored by Food & Wine magazine for...wait for it...Best Hot Dog! In this episode, Patrick speaks openly about the challenges of running a start-up, niche-market business, and of transitioning to civilian life after serving in combat. 

In central Illinois, you'll find corn, soybeans...and bison, if you're anywhere near Grand Detour and the Nachusa Grasslands Preserve. Established in 1986, Nachusa began as an effort to preserve remnant tracts of native prairie. In 2014, Nachusa released their first bison onto the preserve. Today, Nachusa is home to over 100 bison and is a model of cooperation between agriculture and conservation. In this episode, we speak with Nachusa's Cody Considine and Dr. Elizabeth Bach about the challenges of establishing and maintaining their bison herd. 

"New Farmers," a recently-released book and photography exhibit from the University of Kansas, "combines stories and photography to illustrate the future of farming with an honest eye and a raw spirit." In this episode, we sit down with Tim Hossler and Paul Stock of KU, along with Phil Holman-Hebert of Sweetlove Farm, to talk about the exhibit, and about the challenges and rewards of becoming a "mid-career" farmer.

The book "New Farmers 2014/2018," is available here. The exhibit will be on display at The Commons at the University of Kansas beginning October 3 and continuing throughout November; more information is available here. 

With the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill last December, hemp once again became a legal crop for US producers. For the last episode of our "Nashville Road Trip" series, the team from On Life & Land speaks with Brent Cornett of London, Kentucky, about his transition from tobacco production to hemp, and about the challenges potential hemp producers might face. 

Barely 20 minutes from downtown Nashville, you'll find the historic Bells Bend Conservation Corridor, an area whose residents are determined to preserve not only its natural beauty, but also its agricultural heritage. Join the On Life & Land team as we speak with Brenda Butka, one of Bells Bend's long-time residents, and conservationist Sara Trunzo about what makes this area so special. 

In part 2 of our "Nashville Road Trip" series, the team from On Life & Land visits Nashville Craft Distillery to learn how founder Bruce Boeko uses locally sourced grains and specialty ingredients to create spirits like "Crane City Gin" and "Naked Biscuit Sorghum Spirit. 

Join the On Life & Land team as we take a road trip through and around Nashville, Tennessee. For the first of our four Nashville episodes, we sit down with musician Dale Watson for a conversation about music and land, about his adopted second home in Tennessee, and about how a farmer named David Buxkemper became the subject of a song on his latest album, “Call Me Lucky.”

What do a craft distiller, a hemp producer, a land conservator, and a honky-tonk musician have in common? They're all guests on upcoming episodes of On Life & Land. Join us for a preview of our Nashville Road Trip series, beginning July 2.

In a little more than a mile of the Columbia-Snake River System, you'll find a wide range of activities, including transportation, recreation, power generation, and agricultural irrigation. Join field editor Steve Werblow for an up-close look at this critical waterway and the people who use it, maintain it, and depend on it. And be sure to check out Steve's story and the accompanying video series at JohnDeereFurrow.com. 

A view from space can tell a farmer a lot about the state of the crop. Join us for our interview with Zara Khan, product marketing manager with Planet, one of the premier providers of satellite imagery for agricultural, industrial, and research applications. 

As one of the first social-media superstars of farming, Dairy Carrie helped show agriculture the power of blogging, of Facebook, and of sharing real stories of farm life. Today, she’s still very active on social media. We sat with Carrie to get her thoughts on how well ag is...or is not...communicating its message to the public, and on how she’s using the medium these days.

As African Swine Fever (ASF) threatens the global pork supply, producers and animal health experts around the world are scrambling to contain the threat. In this "breaking news" episode, field editor Lorne McClinton speaks with Dr. Jaspinder Komal, Chief Veterinary Officer for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, about this potentially devastating swine disease and how producers and consumers can help prevent its spread. 

For more information, visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency web site at inspection.gc.ca, or in the U.S., the National Pork Producers Council at nppc.org.

It’s a dream so many of us have had...living on an island, isolated from the aggravations of city life in our own little slice of Heaven. But how does the dream match up to the reality of living according to a ferry schedule, and having to plan every trip to the grocery store or doctor’s office? Find out first-hand as our Canadian field editor Lorne McClinton interviews residents of the Discovery Islands, a small chain off the coast of British Columbia. And make sure to check out our video series, “Rhythm of the Ferries,” available at JohnDeereFurrow.com and JohnDeereHomestead.com.

A group of farmers in California is working to pull excess carbon out of the atmosphere and put it where it can do some good...into their soil. Learn more about the Marin County Carbon Project...and hear their success story...in this week's episode. 

In this episode, we chronicle the growth and success of The Local Pig, a butcher shop and restaurant, and their relationship with Campo Lindo Farms, a poultry operation that sells direct to local restaurants and grocers. With appearances on Food Network and a contract with Whole Foods, this chef/farmer pair illustrates how they’ve connected farmers with eaters, and why it’s not so outrageous to think that first-time farmers can accomplish the same. Read more at TheLocalPig.com and CampoLindoFarms.com.

How do we decide what technology to adopt? Is it pure dollars and sense? How do we decide what technology to trust...and what to trust it with? Join us for a deeper dive into the psychology of tech with our four guests: former U.S. Navy pilot Dr. Missy Cummings, now of Duke University; Dr. Julian Sanchez of John Deere; and farmers Larry Reichenberger and Dean Houghton. 

Ten years ago, Jason and Colleen Gerke left corporate jobs to pursue their dreams of wine-making. Today, Jowler Creek Winery is one of western Missouri's premier wine destinations, with weekend events, music, and of course, plenty of wines for tasting and pairing. Along with way, the Gerkes' focus on sustainable production methods earned them multiple awards, including Platte County Farm Family of the Year and the Missouri Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award. Learn more about how they did it in this episode of "On Life and Land."

As one of the nation’s most beloved brands, Deere & Company has an extensive collection of historical documents, equipment, literature, and memorabilia. Join us for an interview with Deere & Company archivist Neil Dahlstrom as we talk about the history of the company and of The Furrow magazine, how he decides what to keep and what to throw away, and some of the more notable items currently stored in the collection.  

In the second part of our series “Out of the Darkness,” field editor Steve Werblow speaks with musician and mental-health advocate Jason DeShaw about the stigma of mental illness, the right things to do and say to a friend or loved one who is suffering, the unique challenges farmers and rural residents face when seeking treatment, and about Jason’s own struggles with depression.

In the first of our two-part series "Out of the Darkness," field editor Steve Werblow speaks with Dr. Robert Fetsch, Colorado State University Extension, on the specific dangers rural residents face when addressing mental health evaluation and treatment, and on the signs to watch for in friends and loved ones who may be suffering from behavioral health issues. 

We see and hear the question all the time: “I want to be a farmer, but I have no money, no acreage, no tractor, and no experience. How do I start?” Very few other industries are as attractive to newcomers, and as difficult to break into, as production agriculture. And even though the number of farms is decreasing, we still need young people to be interested in coming into...or back to...the farm life. Join Larry Reichenberger and Dean Houghton, field editors for John Deere's The Furrow and Homestead magazines, for a discussion on what it takes to be a farmer.

Got a lawyer? Need a lawyer? Either way you’ll want to hear this episode of “On Life and Land,” in which we speak with Prof. Susan Schneider, head of the agricultural law program at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, about hunting leases, undivided interests, choosing an attorney, and more.

Take a walk on the wide side with Bob Recker of Cedar Valley Innovation. A John Deere retiree who just couldn’t leave the industry, Bob spends his time now working with cooperating farmers to run test plots and research. One of his areas of focus recently has been on the potential benefits of planting corn on 60-inch rows...benefits which could include improved soil health and reduced fertilizer demands. Join editor David Jones, co-hosts Chad Wagner and Chrissy Taylor, along with field editor Dean Houghton and his guest Bob Recker, for a look into the wide wide world of wide-row corn planting. And be sure to see Dean’s article, A Walk on the Wide Side, from the Spring 2018 issue of The Furrow. 

We were driving along Hwy 33 in Osborn, Missouri when it came into view. A tower standing a 100-ft or so tall, it’s bright white paint a stark contrast against the baby blue sky. In bold, black letters down the side of the tower we could make out the letters “M I L K.”

It’s here that we talked with Matt Shatto about his family’s journey of building their small dairy farm, Shatto Milk Company, into a successful multi-faceted farm-to-market business…and becoming one of the Midwest’s most beloved dairies along the way. Join us as we chat about the day they decided to cut the cord with their co-op, how they’ve expanded their product line to include award-winning cheeses, ice creams and flavored milks (root beer milk anyone?), and how they reincarnated the milk man with their home delivery service – a business model that not only includes their products, but meats and produce from other local farmers as well.

Afterward, we challenge you to check out ShattoMilk.com and try not to drool.

It’s hard not to be struck by the poppies.

Standing inside the World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, we’re looking down on a display floor made up of thousands of red silk poppies. Our tour guide tells the story of how the poppy became a symbol of the human cost of the War. 

When they’re planted, poppy seeds need to be placed fairly shallow, to get the most possible light; without strong light, the seeds can lay dormant for decades. During the worst of the fighting, in places like coastal Belgium and northern France, artillery shells churned up tons of dirt on the battlefields, raising long-dormant poppy seeds...just like agricultural work can bring up weed seeds.

After the fighting, area residents noticed the abandoned battlefields covered with a carpet of poppies, more colorful and more numerous than they’d seen before. The combination of displaced soil, nitrates from the explosives, and human and animal decomposition created a nutrient-rich environment in which the poppies grew and thrived, serving as inspiration for John McCrae’s memorial poem “In Flanders Fields,” and forever associating the poppy with World War I.

Today, the poppy serves as a grave and graceful reminder of the human cost of conflict. Nine-thousand poppies cover the floor of the Museum, each representing 1,000 human deaths directly attributed to the War.

Join us for this two-part premiere of “On Life and Land,” in which we hear from John Deere retiree and Museum volunteer Mark Dold about the history of World War I and its lasting effect on agriculture and food production. 

It’s hard not to be struck by the poppies.

Standing inside the World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, we’re looking down on a display floor made up of thousands of red silk poppies. Our tour guide tells the story of how the poppy became a symbol of the human cost of the War. 

When they’re planted, poppy seeds need to be placed fairly shallow, to get the most possible light; without strong light, the seeds can lay dormant for decades. During the worst of the fighting, in places like coastal Belgium and northern France, artillery shells churned up tons of dirt on the battlefields, raising long-dormant poppy seeds...just like agricultural work can bring up weed seeds.

After the fighting, area residents noticed the abandoned battlefields covered with a carpet of poppies, more colorful and more numerous than they’d seen before. The combination of displaced soil, nitrates from the explosives, and human and animal decomposition created a nutrient-rich environment in which the poppies grew and thrived, serving as inspiration for John McCrae’s memorial poem “In Flanders Fields,” and forever associating the poppy with World War I.

Today, the poppy serves as a grave and graceful reminder of the human cost of conflict. Nine-thousand poppies cover the floor of the Museum, each representing 1,000 human deaths directly attributed to the War.

Join us for this two-part premiere of “On Life and Land,” in which we hear from John Deere retiree and Museum volunteer Mark Dold about the history of World War I and its lasting effect on agriculture and food production. 

On Life and Land Preview. Overview of our upcoming Podcast series.